Are baby chicks always chicken?

[NC Chicken Gal]

Hi Ya'll,
While I am new posting here, I have been reading a lot of your posts and learning tons! Thanks for all the info!

One question I have is my babies all seem very timid. Whenever I get close to them they always run away from me. I try to hang out with them as much as possible and talk to them all the time.

I just want my chickens to like me

LOL

I know I am probably just being impatient and need to keep doing what I am doing, but thought ya'll might have a suggestion or two on what else to do.

BTW, my chickens don't like yogurt!!!

But they LOVE watermelon!!!

 

[Crickett]

Something I did with my older chicks is to dip my finger in water and then in thier crumbles. They would come up and peck the crumbles off my finger. Also They would hop into my hand to get at the food. Another thing is the smushed cheerios. They love that! I've never tried the yogurt, so I don't know about that. Now when I go out to the coop, they come running to meet me at the door! I guess because they know they are going to get fed!

 

[RAWR]

i would just hang out with them some more and talk to them and take them out to play a few time a day :]

 

[BigSkyChickens]

No matter how much they peep in protest, hold them 1-2x a day. It will pay off. My chickens are 12 weeks old now, and very tame. They still don't exactly like to be caught, but once they're being held and stroked on the chest, they love it. Enjoy your peeps!

 

[CrazyChickMom]

I know what you mean about wanting your chicks to like you! Mine do the same thing and I can't wait for the day that they aren't afraid of me!

 

[amyc]

My older chicks have started to come around, and are OK with being picked up. I think that's because the big girls (7 weeks) spend the day outside in their "play pen" and getting picked up means outside time.

The little girls (1 week tomorrow) aren't so friendly, they run and hide - except for one BR girl who's REALLY brave and tries to attack me.

I think you just need to keep picking them up and give it time, they'll eventually get used to you!

 

[Eggie and Me]

We also dipped our fingers in their food and just sat and talked to them. They are now 6 wks old and I'm wondering WHY they think I'm their personal jungle gym... Just about every time I go out to their yard now, I have to be sure to stand, because if I dare to sit, they all think it's time to curl up in my lap for a nap...

It's just toooo cute. Well worth every minute we've spent with them..

 

[LiL John]

I t helps me if they are full. They seem to be a little more calm than before. Also hold them as much as possible. Just be carefull...I had one of my favorite hens peck my eye as she was sitting on my shoulder. She seem to always want to be there every time she seen me.

 

[Judy]

Bribe them with treats, become the food bearer.

Sometimes they will figure out yogurt is good if you mix it with a little chick feed at first.

Try worms, mealworms, crickets, shredded cheese (looks like worms.)

And pick them up and pet them.

 

[TrixiePA]

Did you mention how old your babies are? My experience is this. Before +/- 15 days they seem to run, but from about day 7, I started holding hardboiled crumbled egg yolk in my palm and by day 15-16 they would start to come over and peck. Then at about day 20 they would RUN to my hand to get a snack. I also would hold each one at least once a day for a few minutes and talk whenever I pass the brooders (which are located on my dining room table). Now my oldest chicks at 28 days come when they hear my voice. My youngest are 7 days and they still scurry. The middle group is 17 days and they are cautious but come when I put my hand in the brooder. I think it's maturity on the chickens part, some snacks and patience.

Just be patient and remember that from their point of view you may seem just like a huge hand coming at their heads. It will take some positive experiences to get them over that. LOL.

Good Luck